GNLU Takes Action Against Sexual Harassment Allegations: Forms High-Level Review Committee (HLRC) Led by Justice Indu Malhotra.
The Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) informed the Gujarat High Court on Thursday that following recent allegations of sexual harassment that have shaken the university, a High-Level Review Committee (HLRC) has been established. This committee is chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra and is tasked with evaluating the university’s performance over the past five years [Suo Motu PIL v. Gujarat National Law University].
A division bench consisting of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha Mayee was informed that the HLRC will also include Attorney General R Venkataramani and MM Shrivastav, the former additional chief secretary of the State Finance Department, as its members.
Senior Advocate Kamal Trivedi, representing GNLU, told the bench that the university’s Governing Council convened on March 23 and decided to form the HLRC and a sub-committee. This sub-committee will be composed of Senior Advocates Manisha Luvkumar Shah and Asim Pandya.
“The Governing Council was deeply concerned about the students’ well-being and has directed the university to take all necessary actions to establish a safe and secure environment. This is to encourage students to come forward with their experiences without hesitation,” Trivedi informed the court.
Trivedi further informed the Court, “The HLRC will assess the university’s performance in academics, administration, finance, and student security over the past five years. The sub-committee will visit the university and submit a report to ensure the prompt establishment of a transparent and vigilant Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). This committee should be sensitive, responsible, and effective, ensuring a swift response to any sexual harassment complaints.”
He added that the reports from both committees will be sent to the GNLU’s Executive Council for its opinion. Additionally, the university administration has been instructed to expedite the appointment of a Registrar for GNLU.
These statements were made in a suo motu case initiated by the Court following last year’s allegations of rape involving one student and harassment of another queer student at GNLU.
The bench recorded GNLU’s submissions and suggested that the findings of both committees should also be presented to the Governing Council of GNLU.
In a previous hearing, the Court had expressed astonishment at the findings of another fact-finding committee, which revealed the prevalence of rape, molestation, favoritism, homophobia, and inadequate information to students about the ICC at GNLU.
The Court had criticized the GNLU administration, which had initially denied any wrongdoing at the university.
During the March 12 hearing, the Court had directed the General Council of the University to examine the report of the fact-finding committee, which highlighted several shortcomings on the part of GNLU’s administration.
Subsequently, the General Council convened and decided to establish the committee led by Justice Malhotra.
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